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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Daniel 5:6 - 5:6
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מַלְכָּא (the king) stands absolutely, because the impression made by the occurrence on the king is to be depicted. The plur. זִיוֹהִי has an intensive signification: the colour of the countenance. Regarding זִיו, see under Dan 4:33. The suffix to שְׁנוֹהִי is to be taken in the signification of the dative, since שְׁנָא in the Peal occurs only intransitively. The connection of an intransitive verb with the suff. accus. is an inaccuracy for which שׁוּבֵנִי, Eze 47:7, and perhaps also עֲשִׂיתִינִי, Eze 29:3, afford analogies; cf. Ewald's Lehrb. §315b. In Dan 5:9, where the matter is repeated, the harshness is avoided, and עֲלוֹהִי is used to express the change of colour yet more strongly. The meaning is: “the king changed colour as to his countenance, became pale from terror, and was so unmanned by fear and alarm, that his body lost its firmness and vigour.” The bands or ligaments of his thighs (חֲרַץ, equivalent to the Hebr. חֲלָצִים) were loosed, i.e., lost the strength to hold his body, and his knees smote one against another. אַרְכּוּבָא with אprosth., for רְכוּבָא, in the Targg. means the knee. The alarm was heightened by a bad conscience, which roused itself and filled him with dark forebodings. Immediately the king commanded the magicians to be brought, and promised a great reward to him who would read and interpret the mysterious writing.